Stories from Friday, October 7, 2016

Two unrelated collisions disabled five vehicles within a half-mile of each other around 4 p.m. on Friday in Purdy. According to Purdy Police Chief Jackie Lowe, at approximately 3:55 p.m., Eduviges Venegas, 52, of Purdy, was stopped in the northbound lane of Highway 37, driving a 2012 Suzuki, attempted to make a left hand turn into the mobile home park. ...

Despite holding onto a lead late in the first half, Piece City fell to .500 with a road loss to El Dorado Springs Friday night, 44-26. Pierce City Head Coach Brad Hocker said youth and slippery field conditions led to the Eagles giving up some big plays in the contest...

SENECA -- In a mucky muddy mess, Monett ground out a 35-14 win over the Indians in Big 8 Conference action.

For the fifth time in the last six years, the Monett softball team has claimed the Class 3, District 12 softball crown. The Lady Cubs staved off a valiant effort from archrival Cassville, 6-5 on Friday at North Park to claim the tourney title. Monett came to bat in the bottom of the with the game tied, 5-5. With one out, Haley Williams, the Lady Cubs' lone senior, doubled to left field. Kelli McCallister, the next batter, took a 2-1 pitch to centerfield for the game-winning RBI double...

The recently completed audit of the city of Verona raised new concerns over the city's sewer rates, especially in light of pending changes to the city's wastewater permit under the Missouri Department of Conservation (DNR). Danawta Hopkins, accountant with the CPA Group in Monett, reviewed the audit for the fiscal year ending on March 30 with city council members. ...

On Monday, Dorothy Greenman turned 104. A resident of Monett for more than 30 years, Greenman is the mother of Winnie Strong and has lived with her daughter and son-in-law, Stu Strong, for the past 17 years. This year's celebration was much more low key than her 100th, which earned her a resolution from the Missouri General Assembly in honor of the occasion...

Pierce City School Board members recently held a lengthy discussion on contract revisions with H&M Bus Service, the company that provides transportation for the district's students. Harold Clanton, owner of the company, approached Suprintendent Russ Moreland about revising the contract after dropping two routes, from the original 10 to now eight longer routes, for this year's district-wide transportation needs...

This week, the Monett Lions Club and vision screening technician Charlee Newton have conducted vision and hearing tests on preschool, kindergarten and first graders.

The Monett Area Workshop has the button, as its staff is currently making political buttons for the 2016 presidential election.

Apple Butter Makin' Days opens today in Mt. Vernon and runs through Sunday, with approximately 400 vendors set up in booths around the square and on adjacent streets. Live entertainment will be offered both days. Today, the Mt. Vernon Show Choir kicks off music at 11 a.m., the community theater group performs at 1:40 p.m., Bro-Town at 2:15, followed by D&D, Lexie Weldy, 15 minute fillers and the high school improv group at 4:30 p.m. ...

Amanda Cruz has been named the September Teacher of the Month at Monett Intermediate School.

Nine students at Trinity Lutheran School in Freistatt were chosen as the top readers for their grade for the month of September.

Kristen Earnest, school nurse at Monett Intermediate School, has been named the Most Valuable Person for September.

A 4-0 shutout win over Willard on senior night was just what the doctor ordered for the Monett soccer team. The Cubs (11-6-1) registered just their fourth shutout of the season, with the effort coming after Coach Chris Villa challenged the defense to step up its game...

The Lady Lions of Berean Christian Academy claimed a best-of-five sets volleyball victory over Christian Ministries Academy 25-5, 25-12, 25-20. Drew Howerton served 30 times with 12 aces. Ashtyn McCleery collected 25 assists. Kelsey Pederson had 8 kills and Taylor Powers recorded 6 digs...

The Monett Middle School eighth-grade volleyball team split a pair of volleyball tilts with Joplin on Tuesday. The eighth grade A team won 25-17, 22-25, 15-13. Kalysa McGuire finished with 6 kills and 2 aces. Caitlyn Calhoun chipped in 1 kill and 4 aces. Natalie Turner recorded 4 aces, and Abby McCaffrey finished with 2 kills and 1 ace. Monett fell 21-25, 25-20, 8-15 in the B game. Katelynn McNair collected 4 aces for Monett. Faith Drewianka and Shelby Coursey finished with 3 aces each...

The Ozark Kart Series will crown its champions in all classes at Twister Alley in Butterfield on Saturday, with $700 in cash and prizes up for grabs. Gates open at 2 p.m. Hot Laps are at 4 p.m. and racing begins at 5 p.m. Drivers are reminded that fuel can be purchased at StageStop Convenience Store, located off Highway 37, just before coming to the track. All drivers, family and fans get a 5 percent discount on race day purchases. Grandstand admission is free, and pit passes are just $10...

Michael T. "Mike" Stephens, 73, of Joplin, died Sunday, Oct. 2 while at the Joplin Gardens Nursing Center. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 10 at the Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary in Joplin, with Rev. Richard Morris officiating. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. prior to services. Arrangements have been entrusted to Buchanan Funeral Home, Monett...

Donnie Harvey, 73, of Cassville, died Monday, Oct. 3, at his home. Graveside services were held Thursday, Oct. 6, at the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Butterfield. Services were under the direction of White Funeral Home and Crematory, Cassville.

Verda M. Simon, 75, of Golden, died Sunday, Oct. 2. Memorial services will be held Monday, Oct. 10 at First Southern Baptist Church in Golden.

James Charles (Bo) Bohannan, 96, of Mt. Vernon, died Sunday, Oct. 2 at the James River Care and Rehabilitation Center in Springfield. A funeral service, under the direction of the Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home, in Mt. Vernon, was held Oct. 5 at the First Presbyterian Church in Mt. Vernon. Burial was at the Mt. Vernon City Cemetery...